Gerber MkII

R

Raggz

Platinum Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2024
Messages
10
Hello everyone, I am a new member to this forum. I found this forum after looking up a knife that was given to me years ago, but I've only just now taken an interest in trying to figure it for my own edification.

So far I've determined its a Gerber MkII Combat 1967 Narrow Wasp Cat's Tongue with Canted 5 Degree blade. It has a sharpening stone in the sheath, as well as what appears to be the original leather cord on the bottom.

My questions are: What condition does this look to be in? Is it in collectable condition? The sheath seams to be good, leather is intact, and all parts appear to be present. There is a little bit of rust on the side of the blade where the serial number is, but the serial number is still visible and is in the 003400's of production. I've read some interesting things regarding this model knife, was wondering if I could get some help to further understand the condition it is presently in, and is this knife considered being rare or uncommon? I am not trying to restore it or remove the rust, it is in its original unrestored condition and I intend to keep it as such. I also noticed while researching this knife that not all of the sheaths have sharpening stones... is there another name for the model of sheath with the sharpening stone? TIA.

Any help regarding this particular knife is greatly appreciated. I have always appreciated knives. Thank you!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS VIA PDF
 
Last edited:
"... was wondering if I could get some help to further understand the value"

Welcome to the forums. House rules dictate that you'll need a paying membership level to ask about a knife's value.

As for your other questions about rarity & condition, I'll defer to others with more Gerber expertise than I have.
 
RokJok said:
"... was wondering if I could get some help to further understand the value"

Welcome to the forums. House rules dictate that you'll need a paying membership level to ask about a knife's value.

As for your other questions about rarity & condition, I'll defer to others with more Gerber expertise than I have.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the information - I have updated the post - good to know about the subscription benefits!
 
Last edited:
You sorta know what is to be known about the knife, good research on your end. Everything looks correct on the knife and of period. Collectors usually catalog that sheath as RT or RE 2 SS (minus the spaces). It means Round Tip/End, 2nd model (added rivets to sheath throat), Sharpening Steel. I'd grade the knife as good. It's an uncommon knife, but you can still find people willing to sell them in somewhat better condition than yours with a bit of looking.

From casual tracking of them the last few years, the market seems to have softened a little on them, but they are still pretty expensive knives.
 
tltt said:
You sorta know what is to be known about the knife, good research on your end. Everything looks correct on the knife and of period. Collectors usually catalog that sheath as RT or RE 2 SS (minus the spaces). It means Round Tip/End, 2nd model (added rivets to sheath throat), Sharpening Steel. I'd grade the knife as good. It's an uncommon knife, but you can still find people willing to sell them in somewhat better condition than yours with a bit of looking.

From casual tracking of them the last few years, the market seems to have softened a little on them, but they are still pretty expensive knives.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the information on the sheath and condition, much appreciated!
 
If it's # in the 3400's, it's one of the earliest Gerber Mark II's ever made -- 1967 per this number chart -- right in the midst of the Vietnam War:


Any Gerber Mark II of this vintage is "collectable" regardless of condition but yours seems to be in particularly good shape, especially if it was actually used in combat by a Vietnam veteran and it's value as a collectible would be enhanced if such provenance can be proven.

The best advice for enhancing the value of ANY collectible is to LITFA -- "leave it the f*ck alone."

There are other sites where you can get valuation estimates but it'll only cost you $35 to join as a Gold Member to get value estimates plus the ability to sell it here.
 
sgt1372 said:
If it's # in the 3400's, it's one of the earliest Gerber Mark II's ever made -- 1967 per this number chart -- right in the midst of the Vietnam War:


Any Gerber Mark II of this vintage is "collectable" regardless of condition but yours seems to be in particularly good shape, especially if it was actually used in combat by a Vietnam veteran and it's value as a collectible would be enhanced if such provenance can be proven.

The best advice for enhancing the value of ANY collectible is to LITFA -- "leave it the f*ck alone."

There are other sites where you can get valuation estimates but it'll only cost you $35 to join as a Gold Member to get value estimates plus the ability to sell it here.
Click to expand...
I really like this site - next month I am planning to get gold membership. Thank you for the advice regarding this knife, I will definitely be LITFA! (Love the acronym.)
 
Compare it to this one, which is the centerpiece of my collection:

rFjp6zX.jpg


0OVB47r.jpg


IN5iNDo.jpg


To be sure, this one is absolutely pristine in all respects. So, hopefully, a comparison might provide some insight.

[An excellent find, by the way....]
 
Raggz said:
There is a little bit of rust on the side of the blade where the serial number is, but the serial number is still visible and is in the 003400's of production. I've read some interesting things regarding this model knife, was wondering if I could get some help to further understand the condition it is presently in, and is this knife considered being rare or uncommon? I am not trying to restore it or remove the rust, it is in its original unrestored condition and I intend to keep it as such.
Click to expand...
If you intend to keep and preserve this knife, just putting it away in its sheath and doing nothing is not the way to go about it. A little conservation goes a long way.
If there is active rust on the blade, that needs to be stopped. The blade needs to be oiled, and maybe rubbed with some newspaper soaked in Coca-Cola to remove the active rust.
Don't store the blade in the sheath, that can cause it to rust more. Wrap the oiled blade in waxed paper or oil cloth and keep with the sheath but not in it.
 
Arathol said:
If you intend to keep and preserve this knife, just putting it away in its sheath and doing nothing is not the way to go about it. A little conservation goes a long way.
If there is active rust on the blade, that needs to be stopped. The blade needs to be oiled, and maybe rubbed with some newspaper soaked in Coca-Cola to remove the active rust.
Don't store the blade in the sheath, that can cause it to rust more. Wrap the oiled blade in waxed paper or oil cloth and keep with the sheath but not in it.
Click to expand...
+1
 
Raggz said:
I've read some interesting things regarding this model knife, was wondering if I could get some help to further understand the condition it is presently in, and is this knife considered being rare or uncommon?
Click to expand...
You can find a lot of "interesting" things that have been written about this knife. Possibly the biggest conjecture/fallacy has to do with the canted blade (on those very few that have it). Nope, it wasn't canted to make it easier to slip between an opponent's ribs. It was canted so the knife better fit the human hip's contour, thereby fostering greater ease of carry. This is from Gerber directly. The early, wasp-waisted Mark II's are pretty uncommon. Those with a canted blade are, IMO, rare.

Here is an excellent website on the Gerber Mark II. The author, John Sabol, spent years of time compiling it.

 
Arathol said:
If you intend to keep and preserve this knife, just putting it away in its sheath and doing nothing is not the way to go about it. A little conservation goes a long way.
If there is active rust on the blade, that needs to be stopped. The blade needs to be oiled, and maybe rubbed with some newspaper soaked in Coca-Cola to remove the active rust.
Don't store the blade in the sheath, that can cause it to rust more. Wrap the oiled blade in waxed paper or oil cloth and keep with the sheath but not in it.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the tip
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top